Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take advantage of, to exploit: To use a situation, circumstance, or person's attribute for one's own benefit, often implying an unfair, selfish, or opportunistic action.
   • To utilize, to make use of: To use something (like time, resources) effectively and beneficially, often in a neutral or positive sense.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hắn lợi dụng lòng tốt của cô ấy để vay tiền. (He took advantage of her kindness to borrow money.)
  • Chúng ta nên lợi dụng ánh nắng mặt trời để phơi quần áo. (We should make use of the sunlight to dry the clothes.)
  • Không nên lợi dụng chức vụ để trục lợi cá nhân. (One should not exploit their position for personal gain.)

Advanced Usage

• "lợi dụng cơ hội": to seize/exploit an opportunity.
  • Công ty lợi dụng cơ hội thị trường để mở rộng kinh doanh. (The company seized the market opportunity to expand its business.)
• "bị lợi dụng": to be taken advantage of, to be exploited.
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy mình bị lợi dụng vì luôn phải làm việc ngoài giờ không công. (She feels exploited because she always has to work overtime without pay.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lợi (n): benefit, advantage, profit.
  • mưu cầu lợi ích (to seek benefits)
• Dụng (v): to use, to employ.
  • sử dụng (to use)
• Tận dụng (v): to make the most of, to utilize fully (generally positive).
  • Tận dụng thời gian rảnh để học ngoại ngữ. (Make the most of your free time to learn a foreign language.)
• Bóc lột (v): to exploit (stronger, more negative, often in socio-economic contexts).
  • bóc lột sức lao động (to exploit labor)

Synonyms

• Tận dụng: to utilize, to make the most of (positive connotation).
• Khai thác: to exploit, to tap into (can be neutral or negative).
• Thừa cơ: to seize the chance/opportunity (opportunistic).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Lợi dụng vào: to take advantage of (a specific thing).
  • Lợi dụng vào sự thiếu hiểu biết của người dân để bán hàng giả. (Take advantage of people's lack of knowledge to sell counterfeit goods.)

Related Idioms

• "Lợi dụng gió bẻ măng": Literally "to take advantage of the wind to bend the bamboo shoots". Figuratively means to seize a favorable opportunity to act.
  • Thấy đối thủ yếu thế, họ lợi dụng gió bẻ măng để tấn công. (Seeing the opponent was weak, they seized the opportunity to attack.)
• "Cưỡi ngựa xem hoa" / "Được voi đòi tiên": These idioms describe greed or wanting more after getting an advantage, related to the concept of exploiting a gain. They are not direct synonyms but share a thematic connection of seeking excessive benefit.

verb

1. to benefit; to take advantage of
   • lợi dụng việc gì
     to benefit by something
   • lợi dụng người nào
     to take advantage of someone
   • lợi thế
     to be on the safe side